New York.
Of all places they could demand she travel to, it had to be New York. The city that had been invaded aliens led by a supposed Norse god a six or so years back. Or at least that's what she had heard through the grapevine.
The Muggle world was becoming as strange as the magical one. Apparently New York is populated by all sorts of enhanced and villains. Not that Britain hadn't seen its share of weird. Greenwich was still recovering. The incident in Berlin was still baffling to her.
It seemed the MACUSA's Department of Unidentifiable Magical Objects had uncovered a device that could possibly be an advanced version of a time-turner. She was currently the Ministry's foremost archivist and researcher for all time-related things. Naturally, this meant she was the one selected to support and lead this project.
Hermione sighed and closed the thin manilla folder holding the limited information the MACUSA provided. "How long are we anticipating this collaboration to take? My own projects are finally starting to show progress and I don't wish to see them stalled."
Accepting the file back with a stern look to the young woman, Kingsley explained, "There is no timeline, Miss Granger. You will remain there until the matter is resolved. I must stress the importance of this task. An artifact like this has unknown potential to be used in all manner of ways we would not enjoy. This is also your opportunity to show that you are able to represent our Ministry on an international level."
Hermione raised her eyebrow clearly not pleased. "If this was anyone else asking I'd be putting up more of a fight to have you find someone else. I hate the idea of leaving my projects." Hermione relaxed back into her seat with an exasperated smile. "When should I be ready to leave?"
Bracing himself for the outburst likely to come, Kingsley avoided eye contact as he answered, "The Americans, in their typical brash manner, asked for an immediate response. However,I was able to negotiate a transfer for Monday. You can wrap up the current your work or pass it to a colleague. Take this weekend to pack what you nee-"
"Are you serious?" Hermione exclaimed, lurching forward in her seat. "Kingsley, it's Thursday! You expect me to pack up months of work and my home in less than four days. Are you mad?" She could feel the heated flush of anger creeping up her face.
How could they believe that was nearly enough time? Her project couldn't just be handed over to anyone. Hermione opened her mouth to continue dressing down the stoic man before her but wasn't granted the opportunity as she flinched.
Kingsley loudly dropped the file back onto his desk and leaned back to appraise the twenty-four-year-old woman who could outsmart him easily and possibly out dual him. Part of the reason he wanted her for this was exactly because she hadn't stopped learning defense since the end of the war. Her mind would always be her sharpest weapon but physically she was more than capable.
"Miss Granger! I'd like to politely remind you that I am the Minister of Magic. If I have a need for you to represent our government as an Unspeakable aiding a foreign ally, it is within my right to assign you as needed. My patience with this outburst has lasted long enough."
Hermione crossed her arms and continued to stare Kingsley down. She may have matured since the War, but she had remained as stubborn as ever, to the perpetual frustration of many.
Kingsley sighed and rubbed his forehead, his voice became softer as he continued to try and make her see reason, "Hermione, I ask you to take on this project not just because of your knowledge of the field but because I need someone who is competent, not afraid to face things head on, and someone I can trust."
Gathering a few of the papers Kingsley disclosed, "We have reports of concerning things happening in America. I have my concerns about why this device was found now and what plans there might be once someone figures out what it can do. I need someone that I not only trust but know can think quickly, analyze the situations before making the necessary moves. There can't be any hesitation should the worst be found. I know this is that last thing you would like me to ask of you, but you're the best option I have. And don't even say Harry or Ron could do this. We both know that that you are the silent power in the group. They are good at what they do but they don't think before acting often enough."
Hermione narrowed her eyes, knowing that there's no way she could refuse the assignment now. Maybe it wasn't just Harry trouble seemed to follow. "Fine! You win, Kings. I'm not thrilled about this, but you win. What is the possible threat I'll have to assess?"
She could see the weariness flash across his face. After having only finished one war a few years ago the idea of another possible threat was not only troubling but exhausting to them both.
"I wish I could provide you with an answer to that, Hermione, but the intelligence we have is spotty at best. Something is brewing, and it's happening in the MACUSA, but we don't know when and what to expect. The fact that it's a time artifact that has come to light is concerning. Add that to the fact that the hostilities from the remaining blood supremacists have virtually disappeared with no new arrests the situation is disturbing. I would like to believe that it is finally quieting down, but there are still too many Death Eaters still unaccounted.
"Understand that you have been granted rights and immunity to act as deemed necessary. Before you leave, you will meet with a liaison here and depart directly after. Few are aware of this allowance, and we will need it to stay that way. Take care, Miss Granger."
*************
Returning to her office, Hermione pulled her out-of-control curls into a messy bun with a sigh. Surveying her office, the to-do lists rapidly formed. There were a few rare books on time hidden away in her desk that she would need to pack. Her current research lay splayed across her desk disorganized in only a way she understood. It made her almost want to cry thinking of how close she was to a major find and now it had to be placed on hold.
After the war, Hermione had spent a short amount of time studying and sitting her NEWTS. She was determined to continue with her future despite the toll the war had taken on them all. Once her tests had been completed, Hermione dove into studying mind magic in the Ministry's archives and through the libraries across Britain.
She would never regret altering her parents' memories since it saved their lives, but she wanted to find some way to correct the damage she caused. Her current project had her working with the Department of Mystery's Mind Department to determine if there was a way to reset a person's brain to a point prior to the damage or trauma. If they could find a way to turn back time on the brain before the traumatic event, they might be able to correct insanity caused by the Cruciatus Curse or restore Obliviated memories.
There has been moderate progress, but the current challenge is in how to fix the damage without regressing the patient or removing memories that may be vital to a personality and character. Not all subjects were extreme cases that required a complete regression or wipe. The issue that came with the regression was a whole personality shift and loss of memories of positive times and relationships.
She despised that there seemed to be no timeframe on this trip. There was no way she could adequately prepare. Making a quick decision, she began compiling all her notes and books. Realistically, she should turn this over to one of the Unspeakable or another Archivist, but this was her passion project. This was just too important to her to pass on to someone else regardless of how qualified they might be.
Hermione slumped ungracefully into her desk chair contemplating her next few months. There was something about this assignment that had her on edge. The last thing she wanted was to be stuck in the middle of another fight to save the world or whatever this was. She wasn't looking forward to telling her boys she'd be leaving for however long on a mission they were not included. She could feel the anxiety creeping up. Since the war, the three had never been far from each other. When her boys took the offer to join the Aurors, Hermione made sure she found a job at the Ministry so that she could be close should they need her.
Until recently the three had been living together in London. Harry had just moved into a newly renovated Grimmauld Place after his engagement to Ginny. Mrs. Weasley expressed her displeasure quite strongly at the idea of her only daughter living with her future husband before marriage and Ron continuing to live with a woman he was not wed. Part of her believed that Mrs. Weasley still hoped that Hermione and Ron's continued cohabitation would reignite their relationship despite (or perhaps because of) her protests. It was starting to make everyone uncomfortable especially Ron and his lovely girlfriend.
They had really tried to make a relationship work. Once everything settled and they had time to mourn and rebuild, Hermione and Ron began dating. For a time, it was good. They had been high on life and survival. After being on the run and having to hide for their lives, the ability to walk about freely was intoxicating. There was a freedom they hadn't had in years, and it created a passion, but it was a flash fire instead of an eternal flame. Ron was her first love and she regretted nothing, but after six months together the old differences overtook the highs.
Apparently, war couldn't make them have the same ideas for their future. She wanted to continue discovering new things and creating change while he wanted to settle down and enjoy not having to battle anyone. It wasn't much longer until the fighting and bickering started. After one last blow up that took everything out of them, Ron had quietly told her he missed the old Hermione that had been his best friend. That night there had been no sleep, the end of a relationship, and the renewal of a close friendship.
She would never forget how they both cried that night. It had hurt more than she could have ever imagined but Ron, oh darling Ron, had held her tightly telling her how he would always love her but how he couldn't live without the woman who was his best friend. Their romance ended that night with a warm embrace and a sweet kiss on the forehead. In its place was a friendship that surpassed anything they had ever had before. Harry would always be the brother of her heart but Ron became her grounding force. When Ron finally moved on from their relationship, Hermione fully supported him. Susan Bones was everything Ron needed and wanted.
With Hermione leaving for the States maybe Ron would finally use that Gryffindor courage and ask her to at least move in. If she had her way, Hermione would make sure he requested along with the ring he'd had her help pick out. Susan would never pressure him into anything, but Hermione knew he was ready but nervous. She'd give him one last kick in the pants before she left.
After one last look around, Hermione stacked her books and notes before placing them in her black leather messenger bag. Or as Harry loved to tease her bag of holding. Just like her old purple bag, this one had an undetectable extension charm, a feather-light charm, and heavy warding.
There was a special pocket on the strap to hold her wand that she had purchased after the war. The old one had been lost to her the moment they escaped Malfoy Manor. The new one had chosen her after much trial and error. Oddly enough it was one that Ollivander had been gifted from an American wandmaker, Shikoba Wolfe. It was an eleven and a half inch fir wood wand with a Thunderbird feather core. Mr. Ollivander had told her that it was one of his prized possessions but could not have chosen a better witch. Fir was considered to make a survivor's wand and favored those of focused, sharp mind and intimidating demeanor while the core was powerful and challenging to master. It was even known to sense danger and cast curses on its own.
Closing up her office was a bit surreal. There was just a feeling she couldn't shake that she this trip was going to be more than any of them anticipated. She quickly cast wards on the door and made her way to the lobby. The easiest part of done. Hermione was not looking forward to telling Harry and the Weasley clan about this new assignment.